Senses Initiated Lucid Dream (SILD) -- LD for Idiots

Senses Initiated Lucid Dream (SILD) -- LD for Idiots

Posted: 13 Mar 2012 18:07

by cosmic.iron

Background

While teaching lucid dreaming to novices I realize that many popular methods share a fundamental problem. That is, they all require too much finesse. For example, the typical WILD techniques require proper relaxation which by itself is a difficult subject. Another example is affirmation -- how do you do affirmation effectively? We all know that simply chanting mantras will not do the trick. Same goes for visualization, breathing, and the list just goes on and on.

We need a method that is as effective as it is idiot-proof, hence the creation of the SILD technique. A large group of people, mainly novices, participated in testing the new method, and within months we received many hundreds of reports of success. And unlike some techniques that only work for the first couple of times, SILD users report consistent result from regular usage. Many even learned to induce LDs and OBEs on daily basis.

Theory

We do not know why exactly SILD works. One user pointed out that the method shares some resemblance with the self-hypnosis method introduced by Betty Erickson, wife of the late Dr. Milton H. Erickson. Another theory is that by repeated stimulation of the various senses in a trance state, we incubate our mind and body into the right condition suited for entering a DILD, WILD, or OBE.

Regardless the theory, it is utterly crucial to keep in mind that SILD is not strictly a WILD technique. While many users report successful LD/OBE induction from the waking state, this method is equally effective at inducing DILDs. In fact, I strongly suggest users treat it solely as a DILD technique in order to use it in the most effective manner.

Step-by-step

1. The best time to practice is after 4 to 5 hours of sleep. You could also combine the practice with WBTB for maximum effect but it is not required. Please do NOT do this at the start of your sleep -- it won't work! The only exception is afternoon naps since you enter directly into REM.

2. Repeat the following procedures 4 or 5 times. Do NOT attempt too many repetitions even if you don't feel anything. Remember you are not doing a WILD. You are simply setting things up for OBEs and LDs to occur at later point. If you repeat too many times you may risk losing sleep thus destroys the purpose.

2a) With your eyes closed, stare at the darkness behind your eyelids for 15-20 seconds. Try to pick up any colors, lights, or images, but do not strain your eye muscle. If you see nothing but darkness, that's fine. Again, we are not striving to induce dreams from the waked state, so do NOT force it. It is perfectly fine to not feel anything.

2b) Listen to the noises in your ears for 15-20 seconds. Chances are you will hear some light humming and buzzing sound. See if you can hear it more clearly. If you don't hear anything that's okay.

2c) Notice any strange body sensations such as heaviness, tingling, and movements. Pay attention particularly to the head, hands, fingers, abdomen, feet, and toes. Again, it is perfectly fine if you don't feel anything strange.

The above steps should be performed in a relaxed manner, slowly, lazily, and without any rational thoughts. The 15-20 seconds duration is for your reference only, so do NOT count in your head! Chances are, after a couple of repetitions you will begin to feel sleepy, to the point your mind may drift away and forget to continue the exercise. Congratulations, this is exactly the effect we are after! When this happens just pull your mind back a bit and resume from where you drifted away. If you lost count of the repetitions then simply do a new set. It won't hurt.

3. Find the most comfortable position and try to fall asleep as quickly as possible! The quicker you fall asleep the more likely you will succeed later in your dreams!

What's going to happen

Several things may happen through this exercise:

1. After you fall asleep, you may suddenly wake up with a strange sensation. You will feel wide awake, and your body weightless. At this point just do a reality check and roll out from your bed to begin an OBE.

2. You wake up with vibrations and other strange sensations. Hung onto these sensations will lead you into an OBE.

3. You suddenly become lucid in your dreams with no apparent reasons, or you may begin to suspect you are dreaming.

4. You have a False Awakening. Unlike the first experience, you may feel awake but still drowsy. FAs will occur frequently with SILD, therefore you should get used to it and become good at identifying them.

5. A WILD or direct OBE. Phase entrance may occur during the repetition, with your mind still awake. When this happens, many of the sensations become amplified. You should stop doing any further exercises, and begin focusing on the sensations until you successfully enter the phase.

6. If all else fail you can try the following technique as a last resort. Upon waking up again, which you eventually will after step 3, try relax your head and allow it to sink into the pillow. If done correctly you will generate vibrations and enter an OBE from a fully waked state. This works because SILD has prepared your body and mind to enter a phase easily. In fact if you increase the number of repetitions you may be able to do this even before you fall asleep from step 3!

About me

My personal research and practice on the subject of LD dates back in early 90s. Throughout the years I've recorded thousands of LDs and OBEs. Two years ago I joined a lucid dreaming forum in China, and since then have become one of their prominent writers and trainers. The forum quickly grew to over 60,000 active members. This provided me with an excellent test bed for new ideas. Together we developed and refined the SILD method more than 8 months ago. Today it is being actively practiced and improved upon by thousands of people.

Re: Senses Initiated Lucid Dream (SILD) -- LD for Idiots

Posted: 13 Mar 2012 23:00

by antianticamper

I've been working on LD since last October using "traditional" methods with only 3 nights of success so I am a bit frustrated. The SILD method seems quite natural to me so I plan to make it my primary practice for the next several months.

Incidentally, since you work on a Chinese forum, I'm curious if you find the practice of internal martial arts, especially Taiji, has any relationship to LD success?

aac

Re: Senses Initiated Lucid Dream (SILD) -- LD for Idiots

Posted: 13 Mar 2012 23:03

by Peter

Interesting post and looking forward to giving it a try

Re: Senses Initiated Lucid Dream (SILD) -- LD for Idiots

Posted: 14 Mar 2012 05:15

by KylePK

I am going to try this! As said above, this seems very natural and seems to be exactly what I've been looking for. I thought I needed some way to enhance my awareness while trying to lucid dream, this seems like it would be that perfect training! Why can't you do it right as you get in bed at say 10pm though, if its just training your mind not attempting lucidity?

Re: Senses Initiated Lucid Dream (SILD) -- LD for Idiots

Posted: 14 Mar 2012 06:30

by cosmic.iron

antianticamper wrote:I've been working on LD since last October using "traditional" methods with only 3 nights of success so I am a bit frustrated. The SILD method seems quite natural to me so I plan to make it my primary practice for the next several months.

Incidentally, since you work on a Chinese forum, I'm curious if you find the practice of internal martial arts, especially Taiji, has any relationship to LD success?

aac

Some members do have backgrounds with martial arts and Chi-Gong trainings, and many of them have had lucid-dream-like experiences throughout the practice of their trainings. However, we have not seen any direct relationship between LDing and the other practices. Their LD learning curve is about the same as the others if not steeper because of the incompatabilities. Many of them actually have to unlearn things in order to LD effectively.

Re: Senses Initiated Lucid Dream (SILD) -- LD for Idiots

Posted: 14 Mar 2012 06:37

by cosmic.iron

KylePK wrote:I am going to try this! As said above, this seems very natural and seems to be exactly what I've been looking for. I thought I needed some way to enhance my awareness while trying to lucid dream, this seems like it would be that perfect training! Why can't you do it right as you get in bed at say 10pm though, if its just training your mind not attempting lucidity?

There are many reasons why it will not work without first getting sufficient amount of sleep. The very first is actually not a reason, but observation. We have observed hundreds if not more cases, and only a couple of people had success when doing the exercise as the first thing they go to sleep. Second reason is that for OBE and LD to occur, you'd better be in long period of REM, and this won't happen until you have had at least 4-5 hours of sleep. If you do the exercise at the start of your sleep, you will likely go into NREMs where you have very few dreams. This pretty much lays waste of your previous efforts.

Re: Senses Initiated Lucid Dream (SILD) -- LD for Idiots

Posted: 14 Mar 2012 18:17

by antianticamper

cosmic.iron,

May I ask your opinion on combining SILD with WBTB? My sleep cycle is a bit unusual. I sleep well for 4 or 5 hours and then I wake up on my own, without an alarm. Usually I'm awake for at hour or more before I can fall asleep again. So I'm sort of an unintentional, non-optional WBTB person. If I use SILD should I do it immediately upon waking? Continuously until I fall asleep? 4 or 5 cycles after being awake an hour?

thanks,aac

Re: Senses Initiated Lucid Dream (SILD) -- LD for Idiots

Posted: 14 Mar 2012 19:09

by Peter

I tried this late this morning and ended up in a LD for a couple of seconds. It was an interesting experience as I am comfortable with WILD and had to be up in about an hour so I followed your instructions as they are very close to what I normally do and I think in 3 to 5 minutes I went from starting to relax to walking down a street and "cool, I am dreaming" the transition was so swift it took me by surprise and I think that I may have lost awareness for a few seconds as sometimes happens in a WILD attempt but not sure. Anyway it appeared to work, I was not very deep and held for a very short time but it was an interesting result.

Re: Senses Initiated Lucid Dream (SILD) -- LD for Idiots

Posted: 15 Mar 2012 17:08

by cosmic.iron

antianticamper wrote:cosmic.iron,

May I ask your opinion on combining SILD with WBTB? My sleep cycle is a bit unusual. I sleep well for 4 or 5 hours and then I wake up on my own, without an alarm. Usually I'm awake for at hour or more before I can fall asleep again. So I'm sort of an unintentional, non-optional WBTB person. If I use SILD should I do it immediately upon waking? Continuously until I fall asleep? 4 or 5 cycles after being awake an hour?

thanks,aac

Given your description I'd say 4 or 5 cycles after being awake an hour might be your best option, but I recommend you try different combinations. We will only know for sure when we actually do it

Re: Senses Initiated Lucid Dream (SILD) -- LD for Idiots

Posted: 15 Mar 2012 17:12

by cosmic.iron

Peter wrote:I tried this late this morning and ended up in a LD for a couple of seconds. It was an interesting experience as I am comfortable with WILD and had to be up in about an hour so I followed your instructions as they are very close to what I normally do and I think in 3 to 5 minutes I went from starting to relax to walking down a street and "cool, I am dreaming" the transition was so swift it took me by surprise and I think that I may have lost awareness for a few seconds as sometimes happens in a WILD attempt but not sure. Anyway it appeared to work, I was not very deep and held for a very short time but it was an interesting result.

Congrats! This seamless transition into dreams can happen, and it usually means you did the exercise in a very proper manner. One advice though -- do not seek after the same result each time you do the exercise. Not expecting anything to happen during the exercise is the right way to do it!